Ajuga plant named ‘Black Scallop’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of  Ajuga  named ‘Black Scallop’ that is characterized by dense compact habit, large round dark maroon-purple leaves and fragrant dark violet flowers. In combination these traits set ‘Black Scallop’ apart from all other existing varieties of  Ajuga  known to the inventor.

Genus: Ajuga.

Species: reptans.

Denomination: Black Scallop.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a new and distinct cultivar of carpetbugle that is grown for use as an ornamental groundcover for thelandscape. The new cultivar is known botanically as Ajuga reptans andwill be referred to hereinafter by the cultivar name ‘Black Scallop’.

For approximately eight years prior to the selection of ‘Black Scallop’as described below, the inventor had grown for sale as one year oldplants the dark-leaved Ajuga reptans variety known as ‘Braunherz’(unpatented). In common with inventor's commercial practice, in order toobtain and maintain a reliable source of clean stock plants of‘Braunherz’, the inventor had established plants of ‘Braunherz’ in vitroin the inventor's nursery laboratory. In 1998, the inventor observed asingle plant within a batch of plants that had been grown in pots insoil-based medium from the inventor's in vitro ‘Braunherz’ material.This single plant, ‘Black Scallop’, was a naturally occurring wholeplant mutation that exhibited novel and attractive foliagecharacteristics which the inventor considered set it apart from‘Braunherz’ and from other varieties of Ajuga known to the inventor. Theinventor isolated, and in 2000 first asexually reproduced ‘BlackScallop’ using basal shoot cuttings. All of the resulting plants weregrown to maturity and the inventor determined that ‘Black Scallop’ hadremained stable and true to type. ‘Black Scallop’ has remained stableand true to type through subsequent generations of asexual reproduction.

‘Black Scallop’ is a perennial ground cover with dark violet flowers anda mat of dark maroon-purple leaves. The parent plant is Ajuga reptans'‘Braunherz’ which is considered by the inventor to be the closestcomparison plant to ‘Black Scallop’. The foliage of ‘Black Scallop’ islarger and rounder and more uniformly dark than other medium-sizedcultivars of dark-leaved Ajuga known to the inventor, including‘Braunherz’. The foliage of ‘Black Scallop’ is smaller than thelarge-sized cultivars of bronze-green-leaved Ajuga known to theinventor, including the cultivar Ajuga ‘Catlin's Giant’ (unpatented)which is typical of the type. When compared with ‘Braunherz’, ‘BlackScallop’ exhibits larger flowers and the whole plant exhibits greaterheat tolerance, and greater resistance to powdery mildew.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and represent thedistinguishing characteristics of the new Ajuga cultivar ‘BlackScallop’. These traits in combination, distinguish ‘Black Scallop’ fromall other varieties of Ajuga known to the inventor. ‘Black Scallop’ hasnot been tested under all possible conditions. Phenotypic differencesmight occur with variations in environmental, climatic, and culturalconditions without any variance in genotype.

-   -   1. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ is a perennial ground        cover.    -   2. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibits a dense        compact habit.    -   3. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibits dark        maroon-purple leaves.    -   4. The leaves of the new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibit        scalloped margins.    -   5. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibits large, thick        reddish stems.    -   6. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ is resistant to        powdery mildew, and heat tolerant.    -   7. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibits short        internodes.    -   8. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibits large dark        violet flowers from spring to early summer.    -   9. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ exhibits short flower        stalks that produce inflorescences borne above the foliage.    -   10. A mature (second season) plant of the new Ajuga cultivar        ‘Black Scallop’ measures 30 cm to 40 cm in width and        approximately 20 cm in height when grown in the ground or in a        2-liter container.    -   11. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ is hardy to USDA Zone        6.    -   12. The new Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’ is propagated by tip        cuttings and division.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying color drawings illustrate the overall appearance of thenew Ajuga cultivar ‘Black Scallop’, showing the colors as true as it isreasonably possible to obtain in colored reproductions of this type.Colors in the photographs may differ from the color values cited in thedetailed botanical description, which accurately describe the actualcolors of the new variety ‘Black Scallop’.

FIG. 1 illustrates an entire plant of ‘Black Scallop’ which is cominginto bloom in its second year of growth in a 2 liter container. Theplant has been grown outside for approximately eighteen months in afrost-free environment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a close-up view of the foliage of ‘Black Scallop’.

The drawings are made using conventional photographic techniques andalthough flower and foliage colors in the photographs may differ fromthe actual colors due to light reflectance, they are as accurate asconventional photography can portray.

BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PLANT

The following is a detailed botanical description of the new Ajugacultivar ‘Black Scallop’. Observations, measurements, values andcomparisons were collected in Arroyo Grande, Calif. from plants in theirsecond season of growth in 2-liter containers that were grownout-of-doors in a frost-free environment. Color determinations are madein accordance with 2001 Edition of the Colour Chart of The RoyalHorticultural Society, London England, except where general color termsof ordinary dictionary significance are used. The growing requirementsof the new variety are similar to the species and there are no growingproblems known to the inventor.

-   Botanical classification: Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’.-   Common name: Carpet bugle.-   Parentage: Ajuga ‘Black Scallop’ is a naturally occurring whole    plant mutation of the following parent plant:    -   -   Parent plant.—Ajuga reptans ‘Braunherz’.-   Propagation method: Propagation is accomplished by division and    vegetative tip cuttings.-   Rooting habit: Fine and fibrous.-   Time to develop roots: Approximately 30 days are required to develop    roots from an initial tip cutting.-   Crop time (from a rooted cutting): Six months are required to    achieve a finished 4 inch or 1 quart of 10 cm container. Eighteen    months are required to achieve a finished 2-liter container.-   Plant habit: Dense, compact habit.-   Commercial classification: Groundcover.-   Use: Ornamental for the landscape.-   Type: Perennial.-   Growth rate: Moderate to vigorous.-   Height of plant (second year): Approximately 20 cm.-   Width of plant (second year): From 30 cm to 40 cm.-   Hardiness: USDA Zone 6.-   Cultural requirements: Full sun, regular water and moisture    retentive soil.-   Pest and disease resistance: Resistant to powdery mildew, and    tolerant of heat.-   Stem:    -   -   Branching habit.—Basal.        -   Stem color.—184A.        -   Stem shape.—Tetragonal.        -   Stem width.—0.50 cm. in width.        -   Stem length.—10 cm. in length.        -   Internode length.—2 cm. between nodes.        -   Stem surface.—Mostly glabrous with 2 longitudinal ridges            each on opposite sides of stem.-   Foliage:    -   -   Leaf arrangement.—Opposite.        -   Leaf division.—Simple.        -   Leaf shape.—Orbicular.        -   Mature leaf length.—Average length is 5.75 cm.        -   Mature leaf width.—Average width is 5.75 cm.        -   Immature leaf length.—Average length is 2.75 cm.        -   Immature leaf width.—Average width is 2.75 cm.        -   Leaf apex.—Obtuse.        -   Leaf base.—Cordate.        -   Quantity of leaves.—Average of 12 to 15 leaves per stem.        -   Leaf venation pattern.—Palmate.        -   Vein color (adaxial surface).—186A.        -   Vein color (abaxial surface).—138C.        -   Margin type.—Crenate or scalloped.        -   Leaf appearance (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Semi-glossy.        -   Leaf surface (adaxial).—Rugose or puckered surface and            sparsely puberulent.        -   Leaf surface (abaxial).—Glabrous depressions.        -   Leaf attachment.—Petiolate.        -   Petiole shape.—Sulcate.        -   Petiole dimensions (mature leaves).—On an individual plant            petiole dimensions are 0.75 cm. in width and range from 2            cm-4 cm. in length.        -   Petiole dimensions (immature leaves).—On an individual plant            petiole dimensions are 0.25 cm. in width and range from            0.75-1.75 cm. in length.        -   Petiole surface (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Glabrous.        -   Mature petiole color (adaxial surface).—Individual colors            N186B and N186C are present on each individual petiole.        -   Mature petiole color (abaxial surface).—138A.        -   Immature petiole color (adaxial surface).—A combination of            N186B and N138A is present on each individual petiole.        -   Immature petiole color (abaxial surface).—138B.        -   Mature leaf color (adaxial surface).—A combination of N186B            and 189A is present on each individual leaf.        -   Mature leaf color (abaxial surface).—138A.        -   Immature leaf color (adaxial surface).—A combination of 139A            and N186A is present on each leaf.        -   Immature leaf color (abaxial surface).—138A.        -   Leaf fragrance.—None present.-   Flower:    -   -   Flower shape.—Tubular to ampliate.        -   Flower color.—86B.        -   Bud dimensions.—2.50 mm. in diameter and 3 mm in length.        -   Shape of corolla tube.—Tubular in shape.        -   Surface of corolla tube (inner and outer            surfaces).—Puberulent.        -   Corolla tube color (inner and outer surfaces).—86B.        -   Flower depth.—15 mm. in depth.        -   Flower width.—8 mm. in diameter.        -   Corolla tube length.—6 mm. in length.        -   Corolla tube diameter.—3 mm. in diameter.        -   Number of petals.—Three in number.        -   Petal margins.—Entire.        -   Petal apex.—Rounded.        -   Petal dimensions.—4 mm. in width and 9 mm. in length.        -   Color of petals (adaxial surface).—86B.        -   Color of petals (abaxial surface).—N88C.        -   Petal surface (adaxial surface).—Glabrous.        -   Petal surface (abaxial surface).—Lanate.        -   Petals fused or unfused.—Petals are basally fused.        -   Shape of petals.—Closet to spatulate.        -   Flowering season.—Spring to early summer.        -   Aspect.—Facing outward and upward.        -   Inflorescence.—Axillary cyme.        -   Flower arrangement.—Flowers are arranged in whorls.        -   Quantity of flowers.—An average of 50 flowers per 2-liter            container.        -   Peduncle dimensions.—3 mm. in width by 5 mm. in length.        -   Peduncle shape.—Terete in shape.        -   Peduncle surface.—Lanate.        -   Peduncle color.—138D.        -   Calyx shape.—Cupule.        -   Calyx dimensions.—5 mm. in length and 6 mm. in diameter.        -   Calyx color (outer surface).—138D.        -   Calyx surface (outer surface).—Lanate.        -   Calyx color (inner surface).—138D.        -   Calyx surface (inner surface).—Lanate.        -   Number of sepals.—Five in number.        -   Fused or unfused.—Unfused.        -   Sepal apex.—Acute.        -   Sepal base.—Rounded.        -   Sepal margins.—Entire.        -   Sepal shape.—Ovate.        -   Sepal surfaces (adaxial and abaxial).—Lanate.        -   Sepal color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—138D.        -   Bract number.—Two bracts per axillary cyme.        -   Bract apex.—Obtuse.        -   Bract base.—Rounded.        -   Bract shape.—Orbicular.        -   Bract color (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Colors N186B and            138A are both individually present on an individual bract.        -   Bract dimensions.—One individual bract is 1.25 cm. in width            and 1.25 cm. in length.        -   Bract surfaces (adaxial and abaxial surfaces).—Pubescent.        -   Bract margins.—Entire.        -   Flower fragrance.—Scented perfume fragrance.-   Reproductive organs:    -   -   Stamens.—Four in number.        -   Stamen length.—8 mm. in length.        -   Stamen color.—84D.        -   Anther dimensions.—1 mm. in length and 1 mm. in width.        -   Anther color.—162B.        -   Pollen color.—162B.        -   Quantity of pollen.—Small amount.        -   Pistil.—One in number.        -   Pistil shape.—Filiform.        -   Pistil length.—12 mm. in length.        -   Pistil color.—N88A.        -   Pistil surface.—Glabrous.        -   Ovary position.—Superior.        -   Ovary shape.—Globular.        -   Ovary dimensions.—2 mm. in height and 2 mm. in diameter.        -   Ovary color.—138C.-   Seed: No seed has been observed to date.

1. A new and distinct variety of Ajuga plant named ‘Black Scallop’ asillustrated and described herein.